Can not access SOME web sites

Well I get exactly the same results if I block using Peerblock (ip address block list software)

If blocked then I see a white background, no text and no error message.

Can you access walmart dot com by typing the ip address into your browser?

Walmart.com: Save money. Live better.

ip is

161.170.248.20

What DNS lookup are you using?

See if using another DNS lookup provider yields the same results:



Usually switching off the router and the computer is required for settings to take effect.

Typing the ip address directly into the browser address bar gets around any restrictions in the HOSTS file so that's where I'd look.

Are you using a default hosts file or a modified one?

teknoid said:

The default, and it was one of the first things I checked. No problems there. I'm thinking of downloading OpenDNS or something similar just in case

Does it look exactly like this?

Code:

# Copyright (c) 1993-2009 Microsoft Corp.
#
# This is a sample HOSTS file used by Microsoft TCP/IP for Windows.
#
# This file contains the mappings of IP addresses to host names. Each
# entry should be kept on an individual line. The IP address should
# be placed in the first column followed by the corresponding host name.
# The IP address and the host name should be separated by at least one
# space.
#
# Additionally, comments (such as these) may be inserted on individual
# lines or following the machine name denoted by a '#' symbol.
#
# For example:
#
#      102.54.94.97     rhino.acme.com          # source server
#       38.25.63.10     x.acme.com              # x client host

# localhost name resolution is handled within DNS itself.
#	127.0.0.1       localhost
#	::1             localhost

If so - uncomment

# 127.0.0.1 localhost

so that it reads:

127.0.0.1 localhost

I'm forgetting that for some users Hosts file changes don't take effect until you close your browser and cut then re-enable your internet connection. (Switch off network adapter or reboot)